I hope you’re doing well. The summer seems to be flying by. I know a lot has been happening from a state and county perspective.
Last month I participated in Liberty Steel’s reopening ceremony of the Georgetown mill and got to meet Liberty House Group chairman Sanjeev Gupta. The reopening is great news for the city, county and especially for all the families hurt by the steel mill closing in 2015.
The legislature was back in session for two days last month. I’m glad we were able to finally pass a bill providing SCE&G ratepayers with substantial relief from the costs of the failed nuclear reactor project and repeal the Base Load Review Act, which enabled the nuclear fiasco.
It looks like we’ll be back in session this fall to vote on Gov. McMaster’s budget vetoes.
One of the vetoes I will vote to overturn is the Governor’s veto of $300,000 for needed dredging in Murrells Inlet. Boat access to the channels in the inlet is vital to the economy of Murrells Inlet, Garden City Beach, Georgetown and Horry counties and this state. A plan needs to be developed and funded to deal with the continued siltation of the channels.
I appreciate the Murrells Inlet-Garden City Fire District Board’s decision to postpone its millage increase referendum that was scheduled for this month until required financial audits are completed by the district. Last month, Sen. Stephen Goldfinch, Rep. Russell Fry and I asked the board for the postponement. It’s important that these required outside audits be completed and reviewed by the board and the public before moving forward with a referendum.
On Wednesday, August 8th at 5:30 pm, Sen. Stephen Goldfinch, Rep. Russell Fry and I have scheduled an informational meeting at the Murrells Inlet Community Center for property owners affected by the Horry-Georgetown County border error. The public is welcome to attend.
For many years, Horry and Georgetown counties have recognized a border that differs from the official border as enacted in statute. As a result, about 200 parcels of land, long believed to be in Horry County, are actually in Georgetown County, raising potential issues concerning property taxes, school attendance and voting.
A bill I cosponsored gives Gov. McMaster the authority to call for a referendum in the affected area to allow voters to decide as to whether they wish to stay residents of Horry County or officially become part of Georgetown County.
And finally, our thoughts and prayers are with Sen. Greg Hembree, R-Horry, and his family. Sen. Hembree suffered a brain aneurysm last week. We wish him a speedy recovery.
I’m thankful for the opportunity to represent District 108. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.
Rep. Lee Hewitt